BookHounds has moved!

4/30/12

There are almost two hundred blogs participating and each has their own entry rules and geographic limits, so be sure to read the rules for each one. This hop starts May 1st and and runs through May 7th, midnight.

HERE IS WHAT I HAVE FOR ONE LUCKY WINNER:

These three ARCs!

WANT TO WIN THESE ARC BOOKS?

Contest is open to anyone over 13 years old with a reliable mailing address

Contest ends on 5.712 Winner will be chosen by Random.org on 5.8.12

Winner will have 48 hours to respond to email or a new winner will be chosen.

This giveaway is sponsored by me and ONE copy of each book is available.Complete the below form

(Chicago, IL) April 10, 2011—Sourcebooks, one of
romance fiction’s fastest growing publishers, announces the launch of www.DiscoveraNewLove.com,
an online readers club that offers members exclusive, early access to some of
the hottest new authors, deep discounts on new and bestselling romance ebooks,
and a nonstop party for both readers and authors.

At the heart of Discover a New Love are monthly ebook
selections that offer members the opportunity to download an ebook from one of
the major romance subgenres: contemporary, paranormal, and historical (plus a
special “wild card” title thrown in for fun). While many selections will
feature sizzling new debuts and rising stars, members will be pleased to find
nationally bestselling authors like Georgette Heyer, Grace Burrowes, Catherine
Mann, and Carolyn Brown in the monthly mixes.

“Readers have a hard time figuring out what they should try
next. It’s an issue of discovery—finding great new authors with amazing
stories,” says Deb Werksman, Editorial Manager. “Now, they can choose their
favorite categories, and we’ll treat them to something new on a monthly basis,
sometimes even before these new books are available to the public.”

Membership to Discover a New Love is offered for as little as
$1.67 per book and provides access to the monthly selections, “members-only”
deals, sneak peeks of forthcoming titles, and author chats. “For what you’d
normally pay for one romance, you can now buy two or three,” says Leah
Hultenschmidt, Sourcebooks Senior Editor. “It’s a fabulous way to read your
favorite authors and get a chance to try new ones without putting a big dent in
the book budget.”

In addition to great ebook deals, each month readers can join
Barbara Vey, romance fiction expert and blogger of Beyond Her Book, as well as
featured authors, for online parties to celebrate their books and discuss all
things romance!

“I’m thrilled to be involved in a venture that brings readers
and authors together, because what’s more fun than talking about romance with
like-minded people?” says Vey, who will be regularly blogging and hosting
parties for Discover a New Love. “The only thing better than reading good
romance is talking about it with other readers who love it just as much as you
do.”

A couple of other notes about Discover a New Love:

·In response to reader demand, many of the featured ebooks
will be available on a worldwide basis.

·The ebooks offered will be DRM free. Sourcebooks wants
readers to own the books and for those ebooks to be portable across ereading
devices and platforms.

·Discover a New Love is starting with Sourcebooks titles,
and is looking to work with other publishers to make their authors available on
this new model.

“Discover a New Love is a new model built directly in
response to what we’ve heard from authors, agents, and readers,” says Dominique
Raccah, CEO and publisher of Sourcebooks. “Expect a lot of experimentation from
us.”

DiscoverANewLove.com officially launches at 9:00 a.m. CST
officially Tuesday, April 10, in time for the RT Book Lovers Convention in
Chicago. The featured titles for the month of April are: One Hot Cowboy
Weddingby New York Times bestselling novelist Carolyn
Brown, Lady Maggie’s Secret Scandal by New York Times
bestselling novelist Grace Burrowes (released one month early to members),
Tempted by Elisabeth Naughton, and Mariana by New
York Times bestselling novelist Susanna Kearsley.

For more information about Sourcebooks, its authors, and new
initiatives, visit www.sourcebooks.com.

ABOUT SOURCEBOOKS:

Sourcebooks is a forward-thinking, independent publishing
house with a passion for books and a dedication to the belief that books change
lives. We are committed to innovative publishing, where every book is personal
and every author’s voice has a place. We are a group of passionate, energetic,
and enthusiastic book lovers, and we are committed to helping readers experience
each book. Sourcebooks has more than 70 employees, publishes more than 300 new
titles each year, and celebrates its success with 18 New York Times
bestsellers, including Carolyn Brown, Grace Burrowes, Georgette Heyer, Susanna
Kearsley, Jill Mansell, and Terry Spear. Please check out the Sourcebooks
blog and follow us on Twitter.

Yet again, Sourcebooks is doing something I think is at the forefront for us book lovers! What a great deal!

Product Description

Los Angeles rock generally conjures memories of surf music, The Doors, or Laurel Canyon folkies. But punk? L.A. s punk scene, while not as notorious as that of New York City, emerged full-throated in 1977 and boasted bands like The Germs, X, and Black Flag. This book explores how, in the land of the Beach Boys, punk rock took hold.As a teenager, Dewar MacLeod witnessed firsthand the emergence of the punk subculture in Southern California. As a scholar, he here reveals the origins of an as-yet-uncharted revolution. Having combed countless fanzines and interviewed key participants, he shows how a marginal scene became a mass subculture that democratized performance art, and he captures the excitement and creativity of a neglected episode in rock history.Kids of the Black Hole tells how L.A. punk developed, fueled by youth unemployment and alienation, social conservatism, and the spare landscape of suburban sprawl communities; how it responded to the wider cultural influences of Southern California life, from freeways to architecture to getting high; and how L.A. punks borrowed from their New York and London forebears to create their own distinctive subculture. Along the way, MacLeod not only teases out the differences between the New York and L.A. scenes but also distinguishes between local styles, from Hollywood s avant-garde to Orange County s hardcore.
With an intimate knowledge of bands, venues, and zines, MacLeod cuts to the heart of L.A. punk as no one has before. Told in lively prose that will satisfy fans, Kids of the Black Hole will also enlighten historians of American suburbia and of youth and popular culture.

About the Author

Dewar MacLeod is Associate Professor of History at William Paterson University in Wayne, New Jersey.

If you, like me, you have been wondering what the amazing Heather Wells has been up to, you are in luck: the countdown to the next book, SIZE 12 AND READY TO ROCK, is upon us! The July 10th on sale date will be here before we know it and yet…I’m finding myself needing a MEG fix. So won’t you join us for THE MEG CABOT READ-ALONG! as we wind our way through a few of Meg’s most unforgettable characters from her most treasured series: Mel Fuller in The Boy Next Door, Lizzie Nichols from the Queen of Babbleseries, and of course, the inimitable Heather Wells herself in the original book, Size 12 is Not Fat! Join us for this Meg-nifcent Read-Along, running from May through the publication of SIZE 12 AND READY TO ROCK on July 10, 2012, and culminating in a Book Club Girl on Air radio interview with Meg herself on July 31st!

About the “Boy” series - We'll Read The Boy Next DoorTold in emails, IMs, and brief journal entries, these loosely connected (but each also stands alone) romantic comedies will keep you laughing: "Full of clever e-mail banter and tongue-in-cheek humor, this cheeky novel should be enjoyed in one sitting" (Publishers Weekly on Boy Next Door). Have fun "devouring this fluffy, fun urban fairy tale" (Publishers Weekly on Boy Meets Girl). And be sure to follow it up with Every Boy's Got One, a "frothy concoction of love, friendship and true romance" (Publishers Weekly).

About the Queen of Babble series - We'll Read The Queen of BabbleLizzie Nichols can't keep a secret to save her life. Now she's graduated from college and is ready to start her new life pursuing her lifelong dream of...refurbishing old wedding dresses? The only thing is, she can't seem to keep her mouth shut long enough not to screw it up...or ruin her relationship with dreamy Jean-Luc. What's a girl with a big mouth, but an equally big heart, to do? "Cabot delivers another charmer, sweet to the core" for graduates of The Princess Diaries — Publishers Weekly

About the Heather Wells series - We'll Read Size 12 is Not FatHeather Wells used to be a teen pop sensation...until her label dropped her for gaining a few extra pounds. Now Heather's walked out on her famous ex, moved in with his brother (but will things stay platonic with Cooper forever?), and found a job in a freshman dorm at New York College...who knew it was nicknamed Death Dorm? Check out the series that "will leave readers begging for time-outs to control sudden laughing fits" (Publishers Weekly)

As an added bonus to get you started, the e-book of Boy Next Door is $2.99 for a limited time beginning May 1, so order up today and get reading!

The read-along officially kicks off today (but don’t worry, our first discussion won’t take place until May 22) and it runs through the publication of the brand new Heather Wells, Size 12 and Ready to Rock (on sale 7/10).We'll end the read-along at the end of July with a Book Club Girl on Air Show with Meg Cabot herself to discuss all the books in the read-along and especially Size 12 and Ready to Rock.

Here's the schedule of when I'll post questions about each book for us to discuss:

4/26/12

Book Description

Publication Date: August 7, 2012

Fall under the spell of Wake—the first book in an achingly beautiful new series by celebrated author Amanda Hocking—and lose yourself to the Watersong.

Gorgeous. Fearless. Dangerous. They're the kind of girls you envy; the kind of girls you want to hate. Strangers in town for the summer, Penn, Lexi and Thea have caught everyone's attention—but it’s Gemma who’s attracted theirs. She’s the one they’ve chosen to be part of their group.

Gemma seems to have it all—she’s carefree, pretty, and falling in love with Alex, the boy next door. He’s always been just a friend, but this summer they’ve taken their relationship to the next level, and now there’s no going back. Then one night, Gemma’s ordinary life changes forever. She’s taking a late night swim under the stars when she finds Penn, Lexi and Thea partying on the cove. They invite her to join them, and the next morning she wakes up on the beach feeling groggy and sick, knowing something is different.

Suddenly Gemma is stronger, faster, and more beautiful than ever. But her new powers come with a terrifying price. And as she uncovers the truth, she’s is forced to choose between staying with those she loves—or entering a new world brimming with dark hungers and unimaginable secrets.

About the Author

AMANDA HOCKING is the author of the New York Times bestselling Trylle trilogy and six additional self-published novels. She made international headlines by selling over a million copies of her self-published books, primarily in eBook format. She lives in Minnesota, where she’s at work on the next book in the Watersong series.

SOURCE: Around the World ARC Tours

MY THOUGHTS

REALLY LIKED IT

This would be a totally awesome slasher movie. Yeah, that was my first impression. The story centers around two sisters, each different, but still sisters. Of course, like in true Disney fashion, the mother is gone, although in this case, the mother has survived a devastating car accident that left her with a brain injury and she has just reverted to acting like a fourteen year old. I think (hope) she needs to be developed a bit further in the next book since she is so whimsical, yet insightful.

Harper is the older one who runs the household taking care of her younger sister Gemma and the father, who is also pretty nonexistent again in Disney-like fashion. While Harper has to be strong to keep the family together and seems super OCD in running things just the right way, she is also pretty wise and sensitive. She is *perfect* with a scholarship on the way, works part time at the library, cooks and cleans while watching out for Gemma. My wish is that she plays a stronger role in the next installment.

Gemma loves to swim and she is striving to make the Olympics as well as getting her own scholarship. She is sheltered by her sister and has pretty much bowed to her sister's wishes in being a good girl. While she is growing up, she has had a major crush on the boy next door, Alex who is a nerd. When her affections are finally returned, she meets up with three girls who are vacationing on her small home island and things may fall apart. These girls are movie star beautiful and they know it. They also have an evil secret and need Gemma in order to survive. Without going into major plot points here, just assume they get their way and Gemma is taken to the dark side in order to protect her loved ones.

OK, so far so good. The girls are actually sirens (NOT all are necessarily mermaids) and need Gemma to survive, so she has been duly threatened and coerced to participate in their evil way of life. All perfect parts of a good story with the best of B movies mixed in and you may find yourself screaming at Gemma, "Don't go with those girls!" just like you would at a movie screen. I found the dialogue a bit forced, but the action made up for it. There is violence, some drug references, a few kissed but nothing that hasn't been seen in a good horror flick. I think that the storyline has a good base in mythology and hope the next one doesn't disappoint.

Details

Reading level: Ages 12 and up

Hardcover: 320 pages

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin (August 7, 2012)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1250008123

ISBN-13: 978-1250008121

If you are planning to pre order this book, consider using my link to support BookHounds

4/25/12

There are almost a hundred blogs participating and each has their own entry rules and geographic limits, so be sure to read the rules for each one. This hop starts April 26th and and runs through May 1st, midnight.

To celebrate FAIRY TALES in modern Young Adult Literature, I am listing my 3 favorite heroines and the books they appear in.

1. Cinder from Cindy by Marissa Meyer

2. Valerie from Red Riding Hood by Sarah Blakely Cartwright

3. Linda from Beastly by Alex Flinn (although Kendra rocks!)

HERE IS WHAT I HAVE FOR ONE LUCKY WINNER:

A Choice of:

OR

WANT TO WIN ONE OF THESE BOOKS?

Contest is open to anyone over 13 years old with a reliable mailing address

Contest ends on 5.1.12 Winner will be chosen by Random.org on 5.2.12

Winner will have 48 hours to respond to email or a new winner will be chosen.

This giveaway is sponsored by me and ONE copy of each book is available.Complete the below form Follow Me

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

Book Description

Release Date: May 22, 2012

It's Hazel's thirtieth birthday and she has everything she's ever wanted: a kickass job, a dream apartment in New York City, and the perfect boyfriend—who's just days away from proposing. Hazel thinks she's happy but isn't quite ready to settle down. So when her most far-fetched fantasy enters the realm of the possible, shouldn't she drop everything to see it through?

The morning after her birthday, Hazel boards a flight to L.A. only to get the surprise of her life. When she's bumped up to first class, extra legroom and free drinks are absolutely the last things on her mind when she catches sight of her seatmate: her all-time biggest celebrity crush, rock star Finn Schiller! Only the night before she'd confessed her infatuation with the gorgeous musician, and her boyfriend joked that she had a free pass if she ever met him. Hazel can't believe fate has actually thrown them together.

Even more unbelievable is that during the flight they genuinely connect. Finn likes her uncensored cursing and wicked sense of humor, and that she's unlike all of his groupies; Hazel likes his killer looks, ripped physique, and soulful music. But what started as a fantasy quickly becomes a real attraction, and after a dream date and taste of the rock-star life with Finn in L.A., Hazel is forced to examine the track her life is on. Indulging in a passionate affair with a rock star seems crazy—but could she ever forgive herself if she walked away from her wildest dream coming true? And is her wildest dream the stuff that happiness is made of?

A lively novel about a down-to-earth New York City girl who suddenly finds herself in a rock 'n' roll Cinderella fantasy, The Rock Star in Seat 3A is seasoned with Jill Kargman's signature wit and hilarious dialogue. This is a fairy-tale romance with a twist.

This looks like another fun read from Jill Kargman -- I so love her books!

4/24/12

Book Description

Publication Date: March 26, 2012

High above the bustling streets of Dubai, in the world's tallest and most luxurious skyscraper, reside the gods and goddesses of the modern world. Since they emerged 14 billion years ago from a bus blaring a tune remarkably similar to the Mister Softee jingle, they've wreaked mischief and havoc on mankind. Unable to control their jealousies, the gods have splintered into several factions, led by the immortal enemies XOXO, Shanice, La Felina, Fast-Cooking Ali, and Mogul Magoo. Ike Karton, an unemployed butcher from New Jersey, is their current obsession.

Ritualistically recited by a cast of drug-addled bards, THE SUGAR FROSTED NUTSACK is Ike's epic story. A raucous tale of gods and men confronting lust,ambition, death, and the eternal verities, it is a wildly fun, wickedly fast gambol through the unmapped corridors of the imagination.

AAbout the Author

Mark Leyner is the author of the novels My Cousin, My Gastroenterologist, Et Tu, Babe and The Tetherballs of Bougainville. His nonfiction includes the #1 New York Times bestseller, Why Do Men Have Nipples? He cowrote the movie War, Inc. and lives in Hoboken, New Jersey.

SOURCE: PUBLISHERMY THOUGHTSLOVED IT

This is a story that is probably the weirdest thing I have ever read. A bunch of gods got together, sat around high on super Ecstasy called *gravy* and planned the world as we know it. It is also the story of Ike, a guy who ends up connected to these gods for their own amusement. Ike likes to relive a story called "TSFN"* which is in essence an ode to the gods or at least that is what I think it is about. I really felt like I was watching Ground Hog Day over and over where the same thing happens again and again. Or if you are more a more adventurist type, then this is like "The Aristocrat" joke made famous by Gilbert Gottfried. It is different characters telling the same story but with different takes on the theme. There is a lot of language. Lots of words. Lots of gods I really wished existed. I mean, I think I even read about one that was the god of body hair.

I have read other books by the author and his most accessible book is probably "Why Do Men Have Nipples?" and although that is non fiction, it still contains his witty use of words like this one. I think you might need to have a drink or two to really enjoy this one. I have to admit that this story is probably more exciting than a butcher in New Jersey deserves. And when that story is elevated to Shakespearean level by everyone reciting the "TSFN" , well, you can only imagine the extremeness of this story. Not for the feint of heart, but if you enjoy excellent sentence construction, then this is your book.

*book title

WANT TO WIN A COPY OF THIS BOOK? Complete the below form

Contest is open to anyone over 13 years old with a US or Canadian mailing address

(sorry, no PO Boxes)

Contest ends on 5.11.12 Winner will be chosen by Random.org on 5.12.12

Winner will have 48 hours to respond to email or a new winner will be chosen.

This giveaway is sponsored by LITTLE BROWN and THREE copies are available.

Book Description

Publication Date: April 10, 2012

From the author of the New York Times bestselling Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, comes UNHOLY NIGHT, the next evolution in dark historical revisionism.

They're an iconic part of history's most celebrated birth. But what do we really know about the Three Kings of the Nativity, besides the fact that they followed a star to Bethlehem bearing strange gifts? The Bible has little to say about this enigmatic trio. But leave it to Seth Grahame-Smith, the brilliant and twisted mind behind Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter and Pride and Prejudice and Zombies to take a little mystery, bend a little history, and weave an epic tale.

In Grahame-Smith's telling, the so-called "Three Wise Men" are infamous thieves, led by the dark, murderous Balthazar. After a daring escape from Herod's prison, they stumble upon the famous manger and its newborn king. The last thing Balthazar needs is to be slowed down by young Joseph, Mary and their infant. But when Herod's men begin to slaughter the first born in Judea, he has no choice but to help them escape to Egypt.

It's the beginning of an adventure that will see them fight the last magical creatures of the Old Testament; cross paths with biblical figures like Pontius Pilate and John the Baptist; and finally deliver them to Egypt. It may just be the greatest story never told.

Looks like this one is heading into Christopher Moore territory. I think I may like this one!

Grahame-Smith also wrote the screen play for the new Dark Shadows movie -- I am dying to see that one!